Speaker Tillis: NC Constitution still important document

Given the actions of Speaker Tillis as recounted by my colleague Rob Schofield below[1] in expelling peaceful members of the public from silently assembling outside his General Assembly offices yesterday, my thoughts went to our North Carolina Constitution. And yes, it’s clearly there in Article I – the Declaration of Rights:

Sec. 12. Right of assembly and petition.
The people have a right to assemble together to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to the General Assembly for redress of grievances…

The Speaker might want to take a look at this important document (a copy resides[2] on the General Assembly website) before he next instructs the public to leave the public areas of the General Assembly.